As host of the ‘Club Shay Shay‘ podcast, legendary football champion Shannon Sharpe is no stranger to hearing some of his guests spit hot takes that set the net ablaze with debate.
When it comes to his wildly popular ‘Nightcap’ podcast, however, it’s usually Sharpe or his co-host – fellow former pro football star/wide receiver Chad “Ochocinco” Johnson – on the receiving end of some serious tongue lashings for their polarizing views on Pop culture, politics, and more.
And while they’re known to ignite quite the commentary on social media, few of their conversations have had tongues wagging quite like Shannon’s assertion that Taylor Swift is the “closest thing” to King of Pop Michael Jackson.
See what he said that still has people talking.
View this post on Instagram
After acknowledging the reported revenue Swift’s mere presence at Kansas City Chiefs’ games (in support of her footballer boyfriend Travis Kelce) has brought the NFL, Sharpe asserted there is no other modern-day celebrity who could arouse such a response.
When Ochocinco argued Beyonce could, Shannon staunchly disagreed.
“Not like this,” Sharpe said. “I love Beyoncé!. Beyoncé ain’t moving the needle like this chick, Ocho! No!”
Doubling down on his stance, the 55-year-old even went as far as to compare Swift to the King of Pop.
“[Taylor’s] the closest thing to moving the needle like Michael Jackson that we’ve seen,” he relayed.
That’s not all he said. He even argued that if given a choice the NFL would choose a Taylor Super Bowl Halftime Show over having Beyonce, Rihanna, and JAY-Z combined.
Needless to say, his take got keyboards clacking and tongues wagging.
Hear his full statement in the clip above.
This C🦝🦝N
F*** Taylor Swift 😂
Lol.
Huh
Dude what you sipping on
He’s right – minus the MJ comparison. She generates lots of interest, huge crowds, massive media attention, and enormous sales. The boost that her presence alone has already given the NFL proves that she adds value. At this point they would definitely choose her over Bey, Jay, Rhi, etc. for a halftime show.
You couldn’t be more correct! I recently did my own research and I was flabbergasted to find out that Taylor has more followers on X/Twitter; sold 75 million records worldwide to Bey’s 42 million. Swift’s 1980 album sold over 14 million copies; Bey’s highest selling album is Sasha Fierce which sold 9 million copies worldwide. And lastly she’s worth over a billion dollars to Bey’s 800 million after her last tour. Taylor also has 11 Billboard Hot 100 songs to Bey’s 8, which includes her on Ed Sheeran’s song. I automatically assumed because of all the hype surrounding Bey that she was a global superstar like Taylor. But, nothing could be further from the truth. No hate, just stating the facts! Taylor’s tour also doubled Beyoncé’s 2 billion in gross receipts.
which confuses me because she cannot sing or dance. she is definitely a plant
Clickbait! Andrew Schultz going to have a field day with this take
Cruel summer still at number 2 for a song that is years old. Taylor is amazing!
Chile, the things brothas who date white women say. That couldn’t be any dumber.
Shannon about to catch all kinds of hell for this. I think I hear bees. 🐝🤦🏾♀️